JP2730599B2 - Improvement of chemical supply equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/GB89/00500 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 23, 1990 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 23, 1990 PCT Filed May 2, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO89/11219 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 30, 1989.A chemical concentrate metering device 16 is provided for an agricultural or horticultural or forestry sprayer system including a reservoir 2 for supplying a dilutant and a spray head 10 for spraying a mixture of the dilutant and a chemical concentrate. The metering device 16 comprises a conduit 17 having an inlet 18 for receiving dilutant from the system and an outlet 19 for supplying a mixture of the dilutant and a chemical concentrate to the system. In addition a seating 22 is provided for detachably receiving a receptacle 31 for supplying chemical concentrate and an injection orifice 26 opens into the conduit 17 and communicates with an outlet 35 of the receptacle 31 received in the seating 22 so as to enable chemical concentrate to be injected from the receptacle 31 into a flow of dilutant in the conduit 17. This enables the chemical concentrate to be supplied directly to the spray head or to an intervening storage tank prior to supply to the spray head, without risk of the user being contaminated by the chemical concentrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to enable concentrated chemicals to be processed with precision and safety with or without diluents.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a chemical container is provided for mounting on a chemical supply device for a chemical processing device,
The supply device has a conduit for supplying an amount of a chemical to the device, the chemical container configured to be removably received at one end in a seat of the supply device and an outlet located at the one end. An outlet orifice opening into a conduit of the supply device when the casing is received in the seat, the outlet being in communication with the injection orifice; An actuator operable to push an amount of chemical from within the casing, through the outlet, and into the conduit through the injection orifice.

The chemical container is generally pre-filled and supplied with a concentrated chemical and can be attached to a supply device which injects the concentrated chemical directly into a conduit. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to fill the container with the concentrated chemical only after it has been attached to the feeder.

Preferably, the actuator comprises a plunger capable of displacing the piston axially within the casing. The plunger is detachable from the container.

The casing has a bayonet joint at one end to engage a complementary structure on the seat.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a chemical supply for a chemical processing apparatus, the supply having a conduit for supplying an amount of a chemical to the apparatus, wherein the supply is also connected to the conduit. An opening orifice having an opening and a seat from which a container is removably received and from which an amount of chemicals is supplied to the apparatus, and an amount inside the container when the container is received in the seat; A conduit that unidirectionally communicates with the orifice such that chemicals are ejected from the container through the injection orifice into the conduit, and such that a cleaning fluid is supplied to the container through it and the conduit. It has a washing pipe opened to the above-mentioned conduit, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

The use of such a supply device in a spraying device is such that the concentrated chemical is injected directly from the container into the diluent stream and the resulting mixture of diluent and concentrated chemical is fed directly to or to the spray head. The intermediate storage tank can be supplied beforehand without the risk of the user being contaminated by the concentrated chemical.

The container can be a container into which the concentrated chemical is supplied. Otherwise, the device may be provided with a supply device in which an amount of chemical is supplied from the chemical container to the container through the conduit before injection from the container into the conduit.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the conduit has an inlet for receiving diluent from the device and an outlet for supplying a mixture of diluent and supplied chemicals to the device, and a washing tube connects the container. A diluent is connected to allow the diluent to flow from the conduit to the container for cleaning. The resulting mixture of diluent and chemical can flow from the vessel to the conduit.

The conduit may include a venturi that allows diluent to flow and creates some cleaning effect on the chemicals in the injection orifice.

When the container is the chemical container itself, the container is generally supplied with its outlet closed by a seal, wherein the conduit is configured to communicate with the injection orifice through the seal and inside the container inside. I have.

The seat may include a dry disassembly joint that engages a complementary structure with the container.

The present invention also comprises a supply cap attached to the outlet of the chemical container to allow the container to be inverted and the outlet at its lower end to supply a certain amount of chemical from the interior of the container to the supply pipe, wherein the cap is Has an outlet conduit for supplying chemicals when inverted and a valved inlet conduit for venting the container during supply of chemicals through said outlet conduit, said valve being removable with respect to a seat in the inlet conduit. And a valve member configured to be lifted by the supply air pressure of the chemical through the outlet conduit so that air can enter the container.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, by way of example, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an agricultural spraying device according to the invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a chemical metering device and a concentrated chemical container, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a branch of the device, and FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view through a portion of a metering device according to the present invention. 5 is an end view of the piston of the concentrated chemical container, FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the piston and a side view of a plunger that can be mounted on the piston, and FIG. 7 is a concentrated chemical mounted on the metering device. FIG. 8 is a side view of the medicine container, and FIG.
It is sectional drawing which shows the deformation | transformation of a figure.

In FIG. 1, the agricultural spray device 1 has a tank 2 with a removable cap 3 and an outlet 4 connected to a flow pipe 5 leading to a pump 6. The flow pipe 5 forms a circulation loop for returning the solution through the inlet 7. Furthermore, the flow pipe 5 leads to a branch valve 8, whereby the solution is supplied from the flow pipe 5 to the outlet pipe 9 and then to the spray head 10. Outflow pipe 9
Has a pressure gauge 11 and a shutoff valve 12. Furthermore, the flow pipe 5 has a branch 13 so that a part of the solution stream is returned to the return pipe 14.
And into the tank 2 through the inlet 15 and through the concentrated chemical metering device 16 which will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

A metering device 16 is provided to introduce a portion of the circulating solution with a measured amount of concentrated chemical, as determined by the branch 13 described in more detail below with reference to FIG. The resulting mixture is returned through the inlet 7 to the tank 2 where the solution is stored and possibly further mixed and stirred.

In FIG. 2, the concentrated chemical metering device 16 has a conduit 17 with a threaded inlet 18 and an outlet 19 for circulating the solution to the flow tube 5. Conduit 17 has Venturi 20 and check valve 21
Having. The metering device 16 further comprises a bayonet joint 23 formed integrally with the conduit 17 and having an annular washer 24 and a spring 25.
Has a seat 22 with An injection orifice 26 with a check valve 27 opens into the conduit 17 near the venturi 20 and communicates with a short conduit 28 in the seat 22. The injection orifice 26 is also in communication with a pipe 29 which can communicate with the conduit 17 upstream of the venturi 20 through a tap 30.

The metering device 16 can be used in different modes, as will be apparent from the description below. In a first mode, the injection pump 31 having a cylindrical casing 32 and a piston 33 is received in the seat 22 by engaging a pin 34 at one end of the casing 32 with the bayonet joint 23 of the seat 22. Although the injection pump 31 is shown detached from the seat 22 in FIG. 2, a bayonet connection between the casing 32 and the seat 22 introduces a pin 34 into the joint 23 so as to press the washer 24 and the spring 25. Obviously, this is accomplished simply by rotating the pin 34 in the joint 23. During this fitting operation, the conduit 28 is introduced into the outlet 35 of the injection pump 33 and is sealed thereto by an O-ring 36. Thereby, the inside of the casing 32 communicates with the injection orifice 26 through the check valve 27. Further, the piston 33 is displaceable by a plunger (not shown in FIG. 2 but described further below) to inject liquid from inside the casing 32 into the conduit 17.

Further, in this mode, a concentrated chemical container (not shown in FIG. 2) is connected to the tube 29 by a flexible hose 37 and a dry separation joint 29. A conventional concentrated chemical container 39 is shown in FIG. 4 connected to a flexible hose 37 and upside down. The container 39 has a threaded outlet 40 and is shown broken near the outlet 40 to show how the outlet 40 is connected to the flexible hose 37 by a bang 41 and a threaded cap 42. The container pressure balance tube 43 extends through the bang 41 to allow air to enter the inside of the container 39.

In operation, the piston 33 is withdrawn from the position shown by the dashed line 44 in FIG. 2 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Pull out along casing 29 inside casing 32.
The piston 33 is then pushed inwardly and pushes the concentrated chemical from the inside 32 of the casing into the conduit 17 through the injection orifice 26 to mix the concentrated chemical with the solution circulating in the flow pipe 5. During this injection operation, backflow of the concentrated chemical into the tube is prevented by check valve 45. This action is repeated as necessary to process the required amount of concentrated chemical.

Furthermore, if it is intended to subsequently clean the injection pump 31 and the concentrated chemicals remaining in the container, the container 39 is installed vertically and the tap 30 is opened. The piston 31 is then withdrawn back into the casing 32 and the solution is
From 17 is drawn into tube 29 and then into casing 32 and inside container 39 where it mixes with the rest of the concentrated chemical.
The resulting mixture of solution and concentrated chemical is returned to conduit 17 by closing tap 30 and activating piston 33.

Under certain conditions, a tap (not shown) similar to tap 30 is provided near injection orifice 26 and concentrated chemicals are passed from the container through tube 29 and injection orifice 26 when the tap is in the first position. It is preferable that the gas can be directly supplied to the conduit 17 without passing through the casing 32.
The contents of one or more full containers can empty the tap in this position, and then the tap is moved to the second position and a portion of the contents of another container is
While metered through 32, it can be fed to conduit 17.

In another mode, the metering device 16 is replaced by a particularly suitable concentrated chemical container instead of the injection pump 33,
The dry separation joint 38 is closed by a cap (not shown). Particularly suitable concentrated chemical containers are of the same type as the injection pump 33 and are therefore not separately shown in FIG. The container 31 is closed at its outlet 35 by a seal 46 and a removable threaded cap 47 (not shown in FIG. 2) and is previously filled with a concentrated chemical. Further, the container 31 engages the seat 22 as previously described for the injection pump. In this fitting operation, the pipe 28 penetrates the seal 46 and the container 31
The inside communicates with the injection orifice 26 through a check valve 27.
The concentrated chemical is injected into the conduit 17 by simply pressing the piston 33 from inside the container 31. The container 31 can also wash the solution after opening the tap 30 as previously described for the injection pump.

In the above use mode, the concentrated chemical container 31 is discarded after use or otherwise collected in the concentrated chemical supply device for reuse.

As can be seen from FIG.
Is provided to prevent the casing 32 from being pulled out of the casing 32. When supplied, the end of casing 32 is joined around flange 48 around its periphery (not shown)
It can be sealed with oil, the sheet of which is broken or removed when the plunger 61 is fitted on the piston 33. Oil sheets ensure the deterioration and safety of stored chemicals. Obviously, if the container is to be reused, it will be necessary to fit a new oil sheet at the outlet 35 as well as a new sheet 46 into the feeder.

Although not specifically shown in FIG. 2, the metering device 16 can be modified for use in the third mode of operation,
The concentrated chemical is supplied in powder form, rather than in a liquid as is usual. In this embodiment, the hopper loaded with powder has an outlet which is screwed into a threaded hole extending through the upper surface of the conduit 17 and opens into the conduit. When the outlet valve is opened, the concentrated chemical powder is introduced into the conduit 17 by the action of gravity, and the washing pipe is connected between the dry separation joint 38 and the hopper, and then the hopper is washed by opening the tap 30. To do so, a solution can be introduced into the hopper from conduit 17.

The branch 13 shown in FIG. 3 has an inlet 50, an outlet 51 connected to the inlet 18 of the conduit 17 by a threaded push 52, and an outlet 53 connected to the return pipe 14. In addition, the branch 13 has a cam operated on / off tap 54, a check valve 55, and a pressure gauge 56. Tap 54 allows the circulating solution to pass through metering device 16 or by diverting the circulating solution to
It can act to short circuit 16 and return to tank 2 through return pipe 14. The pressure gauge 56 indicates when the pressure in the flow tube is at a safe level to effect mixing.

FIG. 5 shows a groove 60 at the end of the piston 33 of the injection pump of the concentrated chemical container which engages with a removable plunger. FIG. 6 shows the structure of the plunger 61 whose end 62 has a shape conforming to the shape of the groove 60. Plunger 61 engages piston 33 by inserting end 62 into groove 60 and rotating plunger 61 relative to piston 33 about its axis,
Portion 62 engages under flange 63. Plunger 61 is used to move piston 33 in casing 32 in both directions. After use, the plunger 61 is removed for use or storage in another container.

FIG. 7 shows the mounting device for the concentrated chemical container 31 when locked in the seat 22. Such a mounting device allows the concentrated chemical container 31 at an appropriate angle and at an appropriate height, preferably below the level of the solution stored in the tank 2, for convenient operation of the plunger 61 by the user. It can be introduced. In addition, the inclination of the container 31 is such that the container 31 is seated while a part of the concentrated chemical remains.
Ensuring that concentrated chemicals do not leak from the container outlets even when away from 22. The mounting device has a sloping bracket 70 and a cam lock 71, which locks the slidable support 72 to the container far from the end where the seat 22 engages.
Used to lock in position to support 31 ends.
The metering scale 73 preferably comprises a transparent casing 32 for metering the concentrated chemical to be processed. Casing 32
When is not transparent, a weighing scale can be provided on the plunger.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, when the concentrated chemical is supplied from a conventional container 31 through a flexible hose 37, the container 39 is inverted to help empty it. FIG. 8 shows a valve arrangement 80 which is particularly suited to fit the outlet of the container 39 to assist in the supply of concentrated chemicals from the container 39 in an inverted position. The valve device 80 extends through a circular hole in the bang 41 inserted into the outlet of the container and held therein by the threaded cap 42. Device 80 is a wall
83 can be connected to the flexible hose 37 and the container pressure balancing tube 43 by connecting tubes 84 and 85, respectively,
It has two semicircular conduits 81,82. The conduit 81 opens inside the container by a perforated wall 86, and the conduit 82 opens inside the container through a ball valve 87 and a perforated wall 88. The ball valve 87 has a seat 89 and a ball 90, and further has a float
91 is displaceable in conduit 82.

In use, the concentrated chemical can flow from inside the container through conduit 81 to flexible hose 37. In addition, the resulting drop in container internal pressure raises the ball 90 so as to allow air to flow into the container, which attempts to close the valve 87 when the container is in the upside down position. When the concentrated chemical attempts to flow into pipe 43 through valve 87,
If tube 43 extends significantly higher than the four concentrated chemical levels in the container, the concentrated chemical tube is retained in 43. When the container is emptied and returned to the upright position, the ball 90 falls and opens the valve 87 to sit on the seat 91. Then, if the container is filled with flushing fluid by the hose 37, the valve 87 will let out air when the container is filled, but when the level of the solution in the container reaches the height of the float 91, the float 91 The ball 90 moves and is lifted so as to contact the seat 92 and close the valve 87.

The concentrated chemical metering device is implemented by a simple modification of the conventional conventional spraying method, or is otherwise provided in a new device during manufacture.

Although not specifically shown in the drawings, it is within the scope of the present invention that the concentrated chemical metering device injects the concentrated chemical directly into the diluent stream immediately before the solution is supplied to the spray head. It includes that it can be used with a processor-based controller. In this case, the controller can be set to meter the concentrated chemical supply for the required data according to the speed of the vehicle to which the injector is mounted. Further devices are also within the scope of the invention in which the concentrated chemical is supplied to the spray head without first being mixed with the diluent by the metering device.

Such metering devices are particularly advantageous in operation because they effectively isolate workers and the environment from hazardous chemicals such as concentrated pesticides, accurately weigh chemicals without inhalation, and This is because the container to which the chemical is supplied achieves the purpose of being quickly and easily cleaned without being removed from the apparatus and without requiring a separate supply of water. The cleaning material is returned to the spray device without exposing the operator or environment to the risk of splashing a thick or thin solution. Although the above devices and fixtures have been described based solely on agricultural or horticultural spraying devices, alternatives where chemicals are supplied to a chemical or chemical processing device, such as a food or chemical processing device or a waste chemical processing device. Forming such a device or fixture in an application is also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A conduit (17) for supplying an amount of chemical to a chemical treatment device, an injection orifice (26) opening to the conduit (17), and a conduit communicating with the injection orifice (26). A cylindrical casing containing a predetermined quantity of chemicals, having a supply device having a (28) and a neck forming an outlet (35) which can be detachably connected at one end to a conduit (28) of the supply device ( 32) and a predetermined amount of chemicals from inside the casing (32) through the outlet (35) to the conduit (2).
8) a chemical container for mounting on a chemical supply for a chemical processing device having an actuator (61) operable to push it into a conduit (17) by said one end of the casing; A coupling device is provided for making a detachable connection of the container to the supply device when the container is received in the seat (22) of the supply device, and an outlet (35) is provided when the container is connected to the supply device by the coupling device. A neck and an outlet (35) around the conduit (28) are arranged in gas-tight communication with an injection orifice (26) opening in the conduit (17) of the supply device. Chemical container. 2. A conduit (17) for supplying an amount of chemical to the chemical treatment device, an injection orifice (26) opening into the conduit (17), and an amount of chemical in a container (31). )
When the container (31) is connected to the supply device so that it can be injected into the conduit (17) by the injection orifice (26) through the passage in the conduit (28). A chemical supply for a chemical processing apparatus having a conduit (28) in communication with an injection orifice (26), the supply comprising a metered amount of injection orifice (26) through a passage in conduit (28). A seat (22) for removably receiving the container so as to hermetically connect the inside of the container with the conduit (28), and an opening in the passage in the conduit (28) for one-way supply of the chemical Pipe (29) and conduit (28)
A cleaning pipe (29) for supplying a cleaning fluid to the container through an internal passage.